The new Tyre Lift from Penny Hydraulics is a versatile platform lift for handling tyres, wheels and loads up to 250kg between ground level and a first floor or mezzanine store. Penny Hydraulics says it offers a cost-effective solution for complying with manual handling regulations and reduces the risk of injury. The entire handling process can be carried out by a single person, with no manual lifting involved.
Two senior citizens owe their lives to some lateral thinking and a stack of burning tyres after becoming trapped in a blizzard. Monique Sylvestre, aged 68, and her husband were driving across Wollaston Lake in the central Canadian province of Saskatchewan when the engine of their truck cut out, leaving them stranded. As the engine spluttered and then fell silent in the –40 C weather, the couple, who were on their way to visit an unwell relative, feared the worst.
Apollo Tyre’s new UHP Aspire has been voted Automotive Product of the Year by NDTV Profit and Car India magazine. The W-speed rated tyre – safe to up to 270km/h – was awarded this distinction by India’s leading business television channel and the popular car magazine at a function in Mumbai attended by leading representatives of India’s automotive industry.
At a separate awards ceremony, this time in New Delhi, Apollo was awarded a commendation for its road safety campaigns. Throughout the past year Apollo has undertaken to increase road safety awareness by highlighting correct tyre maintenance procedure. The commendation was given by the Institute of Road Traffic Education as part of their 2006 awards programme, and Apollo was the only commercial entity, alongside seven individuals and non-profit groups, to be granted such a distinction. Apollo intends to continue its road safety programmes in 2007.
Italian corporate giant Pirelli & Co SpA is reportedly in favour of seeing its tyre division listed on the stock exchange in March or April as trading conditions improve.
Pirelli’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) plans for the tyre division were dropped last year because market conditions were deemed unfavourable at the time, and instead the company agreed to sell a 38.9 per cent stake in the operation to a company controlled by six Italian and foreign banks. Pirelli & C SpA received 740 million euros (£499 million) from the sale of the 38.9 per cent share.
Under the terms of this agreement, Pirelli has an option to buy back the shares if the banks do not conduct an IPO within four and a half years.
Maximising fuel economy is one of the highest priorities for drivers in the ultra-competitive super-mini racing category. With this in mind, Peugeot has given the go ahead for fitting the environmentally friendly Goodyear GT3 tyre as original equipment on their new 207.
The Pirelli P Zero Corsa System has been approved by Aston Martin as a Sports Tyre option on the 2007 V8 Vantage; a handcrafted sports car that offers electrifying performance and outstanding agility, making it one of the world’s most desirable sports cars.
Michelin has launched its new Cockpit baby seat and Navigator booster seat for children aged from six months to ten years. The new Cockpit seat and Navigator booster meet the standards of the proposed 2008 EuroNCAP tests where the crash test speed has been raised to 70kph, new UK regulations and the new ECE/R44 homologation requirements. Michelin is confident that its Cockpit and Navigator child seats represent the best child safety protection in the world. The RRP of the Cockpit is £199.99 and the Navigator is £139.99.
Interstate has announced that it is updating its Interstate Sport IXT-1 programme in December 2006 and February 2007. The first run of new sizes to come online will be the Interstate Sport IXT-1 225/55 R16 RF (reinforced) in 99W and 235/45R17 RF in 97W. These will be followed in February by 225/55R17 RF in 101W. The complete programme runs from 13 to 18 inches and is available up to W-speed-rating with lots of XL load indexes.
Be careful what you say – an off the cuff remark recently resulted in a VW Touareg towing a jumbo jet down a run-way. On Thursday this week, a Volkswagen crew did indeed hook up a new generation Touareg V10 TDI to a 747 and it pulled it off. However, there hasn’t been a rush on orders from airport operators wanting to replace their 70-ton pushbacks with Touaregs.
In order for the Touareg V10 TDI to be able to tow the big bird, the weight of the Volkswagen had to first be increased by 4250 kilos. This sounds paradoxical but is absolutely necessary so that the power of the engine can be converted into propelling force. For this purpose steel balls and steel plates were distributed in the SUV. Other modifications were kept to a minimum, but the crew did have to increase the air pressure in the standard Michelin tyres to 4.5 bar. The speed was also limited to protect the tyres, says VW.
Continental Tyres has launched the ContiComfortKit that can temporarily fix a flat tyre in minutes without the need for the motorist to change the wheel. Unlike most aerosol sealants, the ContiComfortKit incorporates a small compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter or other 12 volt outlet. This pumps a mixture of liquid sealant and air into the tyre, effectively sealing the puncture from the inside and re-inflating the tyre.
Kensington-based luxury carmaker, Bristol, has announced that it has produced a record braking variation of its Bristol Fighter model. Seen as something of a Bugati (Veyron) beater, the Fighter T’s twin turbocharged and intercooled 8-litre V10 engine is capable of producing 1012 bhp and a top speed of 270 mph, which has been electronically limited to 225 mph.
(Las Vegas/Tire Review) Kumho Tire USA officially launched its latest touring tyre line – the Solus KR21 – during the SEMA Show. The Solus KR21 replaces Kumho’s 732 and 795 products. Kumho said the Solus KR21 delivers a refined balance of high mileage, low noise and exceptional ride comfort, along with all-season traction and confidence-inspiring handling.
The KR21 will be a “megaline” tyre, which Kumho said will reduces the number of SKUs a dealer will have to carry. The KR21 carries a T speed rating and a UTQG of 600, and will be available in the first quarter of 2007 in nearly 50 sizes, ranging from 155/80R13 to 235/65R18.
Fulda Exelero, the German ultra-high-performance tyre, will be showing off its capabilities at the MPH Shows, to be held at Birmingham NEC on 26-29 October and at Earls Court, London on 2-5 November. Following Fulda’s performance in last year’s ‘MPH’ live demonstration show, international racing driver, Ben Collins, is to drive a Vauxhall Monaro in a hair raising fight sequence with a Ninja. Fulda Exeleros will be fitted to the Vauxhall.
Viking International has launched a seasonal special offer across its private brand ultra high performance tyre range, Millennium Tyres. All tyres in the Millennium range have been reduced by at least 8 per cent with up to 10 per cent off selected sizes to encourage customers to trial the brand. The special reduction has been introduced as part of a seasonal focus and will run until the end of the year.
When the all-new, redesigned 2007 Chrysler Sebring rolls into US showrooms this autumn it will be fitted exclusively with tyres from Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFNT will supply the Chrysler Group’s Sebring Sedan with Firestone FR690 tyres in size P215/65R16 96T, while the Chrysler Sebring Touring and Chrysler Sebring Limited will ride on Bridgestone-brand Turanza EL40002 tyres in sizes P215/60R17 95T and P215/55R18 94T, respectively.
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